Me too....again. I have loved and practically lived in my Toyota 4Runner Ltd. for the last 14 years. I knew, after test driving several gorgeous sedans, that I still wanted sit up a little higher, still be able to haul lots of stuff, but enjoy some of the creature comforts found in automobiles built in the new millennium....which isn't even so new anymore.

I've been drawn to the Durango since my cousin ended up with a Crew in 2011. I really started to get serious last year, but was put off a little by the way the five speed V6 felt when trying to head up a highway on ramp. After further research revealed the plans for a refresh in 2014 that would include an eight speed transmission and some interior and exterior refinements, I decided I could wait a little longer. I also thought it would give me a chance to fall for a status brand/luxury vehicle like theBMW X5, MB ML or the Audi Q5/7. They were sure nice. And pricey. I kept coming back to the Durango as the best combination of size and features for the money.....and I'd like to think it will be far less expensive to maintain over the long haul.

Part of the equation was our plan to (eventually) relocate to Dallas. After life in a small town in Southern Indiana I was convinced I would need a tank with a big engine to keep up with the traffic and stay alive. Lots of big &ss trucks on the highways, and shopping mall parking lots loaded with lookalike luxury cars. Didn't want one of those after all, and still kept coming back to the Durango.

Why all the bloviating? Really only wanted to say that one of the aspects I like the very best is that the Durango is NOT every other vehicle on the highway or in the parking lot. I want to see more, I want the better transmission and the refresh to boost sales, and I want the Anchorman 2 tie-in to raise curiosity and awareness for this good looking beast. I may not be able to change out my fog lights for something I like better, or add my own running boards, but I WILL figure out how to change my ringtone to the music from those commercials (supposedly Grazing in The Grass by Friends of Distinction, FYI

I know people love these things, and I see them all over the road, but just can't get into it. To me hatch back or wagon vehicles are just so fugly. Buy an SUV or buy a car, don't try to be something you're not. Just one mans opinion. The worst though, is when you get a luxury car wagon, that makes my brain hurt. It's like the mullet of vehicles, sexy and sleek in the front, soccer mom in the back...

...To me hatch back or wagon vehicles are just so fugly...The worst though, is when you get a luxury car wagon, that makes my brain hurt. It's like the mullet of vehicles, sexy and sleek in the front, soccer mom in the back...

Porsche Panamera is a sexy hatchback. It's not the vehicle type, it's the design imo. That's why the Durango works because it has striking, bold features. So many SUV designs are so uninspiring. Even original Cayenne looked like an old Hyundai. Japanese SUVs are selling despite their looks imo.

I've seen a few people comment on the Hemi vs V6 topic mention that the hemi has increased maintenance needs. Can anyone elaborate on what that means? I will be picking up my Citadel with a Hemi later this week and I'm curious what to expect.

Johnatbv, The Hemi use to call for spark plugs to be changed every 30,000 miles (total of 16). The new owners manual I read online now states it is now 100,000 which is in line with the v6. So it appears maintenance intervals should be about the same. Just will be a little more on parts and more labor time.

For those wondering about multiple car seats in the second row, the Radian RXT (3 in 1, rear-forward-booster) fits 3 across. With some tweaking of the seats, I was able to fit two of these Radians in the 60% two seat section just barely leaving enough space to leave the 40% seat free to fold down to access the third row.

For those wondering about multiple car seats in the second row, the Radian RXT (3 in 1, rear-forward-booster) fits 3 across. With some tweaking of the seats, I was able to fit two of these Radians in the 60% two seat section just barely leaving enough space to leave the 40% seat free to fold down to access the third row.